Written Answers Friday 8 May 2009

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times ministers met representatives of agricultural co-operatives during 2008, broken down by (a) date, (b) co-operative and (c) minister.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government ministers have regular meetings with the agriculture industry, at which representatives of agricultural co-operatives attend. However, ministers did not meet directly with representatives of agricultural co-operatives in 2008.

Animal Welfare

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the high animal welfare standards achieved by the pig industry are adequately recognised by consumers.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is encouraged to note that more consumers are now considering animal welfare issues when making purchasing decisions.

Animal Welfare

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage voluntary labelling schemes in shops and supermarkets advising customers of the welfare standards achieved by the producers of pig meat products.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government supports any scheme or initiative that enables consumers to make a more informed choice about the food they purchase.

Asylum Seekers

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what projects to assist and support asylum seekers it has funded outside the Glasgow City Council area in 2008-09, broken down by individual award and local authority area.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government did not fund any specific projects to assist and support asylum seekers outside the Glasgow City Council area in 2008-09.

Climate Change

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the view of the group, Plane Stupid, that expansion of aviation is incompatible with the Scottish Government’s climate change targets.

Stewart Stevenson: All sectors of the economy, including domestic and international aviation, have a collective role in delivering the 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 required by the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill. That is why we have taken the world-leading step of committing to include from the start the Scottish share of emissions from international aviation in our emissions reduction targets.

  We also recognise that air links support Scotland’s economy, including business and tourism, and perform a very important social function, particularly in the Highlands and Islands. We are, therefore, pursuing a balanced approach which recognises the economic, social and environmental impact of aviation in Scotland.

Coastal Protection

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce a coastal protection zone in its marine Bill.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish coastal protection zones.

Richard Lochhead: The Marine (Scotland) Bill was submitted to the Scottish Parliament on 29 April 2009. It does not include provisions for a coastal protection zone.

Communities

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications it received to its Race, Religion and Refugee Integration Fund during 2008.

Alex Neil: One hundred and thirty-six applications were received. A full list of projects funded was provided in the answer to question S3W-15060 on 6 August 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to include training in lip-reading in the rehabilitation of people with hearing loss as part of the comprehensive review of health provision being undertaken under the Better Health, Better Care programme.

Shona Robison: Lip-reading is only one aspect of the rehabilitation of people who become deaf in adult life and recently the Audiology Services Advisory Group has agreed to work with the Scottish Government’s Chief Rehabilitation Officer who is responsible for the National Rehabilitation Framework for Scotland to establish the most effective rehabilitation for those with a hearing loss. They will consider rehabilitation in a modernised audiology service providing recommendations on clarification of roles and responsibilities within a patient pathway. They will also identify associated funding streams required to support the various multi-agency aspects of rehabilitation within and beyond the NHS.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to organisations to provide courses for people who want to train as a lip-reading tutors.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is currently developing a more strategic approach for the provision of rehabilitation of those with a hearing loss within a wider rehabilitation framework.

  The Scottish Government’s Audiology Services Advisory Group (ASAG) has agreed to work with the Chief Rehabilitation Officer who is responsible for the National Rehabilitation Framework for Scotland. They will consider lip-reading within the wider context of rehabilitation in a modernised Audiology service.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to lip-reading tutors to ensure that lip reading classes are widely available given that one in five people has a degree of hearing loss and could benefit from classes.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is planning to conduct research to establish the most effective interventions in the rehabilitation of those who have a hearing loss. Following the result of the research, the Scottish Government’s Audiology Services Advisory Group (ASAG) has agreed that it will provide professional clinical advice to the Chief Rehabilitation Officer who is responsible for the National Rehabilitation Framework for Scotland. The proposed research will consider the effectiveness of lip-reading within the wider context of rehabilitation in a modernised audiology service. It will consider rehabilitation with clarification of roles and responsibilities within a patient pathway. It will also identify associated funding streams required to support the various multi-agency aspects of rehabilitation within and beyond the NHS.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20543 by Shona Robison on 19 February 2009, what steps it will take to ensure that deaf people who attend the out-patient service in Glasgow provided by the John Denmark Unit (JDU) in Manchester will receive the same level of service now that the JDU has only one psychiatrist.

Shona Robison: The out-patient service in Glasgow provided by the John Denmark Unit (JDU) is carried out by a Clinical Nurse specialist who, if necessary, either refers patients to local psychiatric services, or to a psychiatrist at JDU if admission is considered appropriate.

  JDU currently has two psychiatrists and is presently recruiting a third. JDU continues to work with NHS Scotland National Services Division under current arrangements to improve both JDU’s outreach and to enhance local community services in Scotland for this patient group.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20543 by Shona Robison on 19 February 2009, what progress has been made on its plans to further improve regional specialist community services for deaf people.

Shona Robison: We continue to progress work on improving regional specialist community services – in tandem with further examination of the merits of establishing an in-patient facility.

  Following discussions with NHS regional planners and the mapping of current regional specialist provision, we are giving active consideration to how we enhance the latter as part of further examination of the merits of establishing an in-patient facility.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20543 by Shona Robison on 19 February 2009, what progress has been made regarding its examination of the merits of a Scotland-based inpatient mental health facility for deaf people.

Shona Robison: Examination of the merits of a Scotland-based in-patient facility – and how we, in tandem, improve regional specialist community services – continues.

  Following discussions with NHS regional planners and the mapping of current regional specialist provision, we are giving active consideration to how we enhance the latter as part of further examination of the merits of establishing an in-patient facility.

Digital Technology

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the people on the island of Barra are satisfied with their internet service provided by the Connected Communities initiative.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is aware of a local campaign, predominantly in Northbay, from existing and potential users who would prefer a BT solution.

Digital Technology

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns that the Connected Communities initiative offering broadband internet connection to the people on the island of Barra may not be suited to the hilly terrain of the island and that this may have affected the reliability of the service.

Jim Mather: I am advised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which deals with all operational matters around the design, delivery and management of Connected Communities, that the terrain in Barra is no different to all the other areas across the Western Isles being served successfully with the same network equipment, and that it would appear that reliability of a broadband internet connection is not therefore affected by the hilly terrain.

Digital Technology

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the people on the island of Barra were consulted about the internet package that they were to receive, as set up by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and whether the Scottish Government is aware of subsequent concerns that have been expressed about the reliability of this package.

Jim Mather: Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which deals with all operational matters around the design, delivery and management of Connected Communities, has stated that it is not aware of any broadband provider which has consulted communities before delivering a service. The Scottish Government has been made aware of some concerns which have been raised about the reliability of the package offered by Connected Communities and has immediately drawn these to the attention of HIE and Connected Communities.

Digital Technology

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to local concerns about whether Concom, which supplies parts of the Western Isles with broadband internet access, is on an equal footing in terms of quality and reliability with BT Broadband, which is used by the rest of the United Kingdom.

Jim Mather: Customer satisfaction of Connected Communities’ broadband service is a matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which deals with all operational matters around the design, delivery and management of the Connected Communities network.

Domestic Abuse

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for the Victims Advice and Information service to contact family members in the case of a domestic abuse situation.

Frank Mulholland: All victims of domestic abuse are referred to Victim Information and Advice (VIA) where proceedings are taken. VIA staff provide information to victims of domestic abuse following any key court hearings and when there is any other significant progress in a case. This includes:

  dates of court hearings;

  decisions made about bail;

  trial verdicts;

  sentencing, and

  the outcome of any appeal.

  In domestic abuse cases VIA will notify victims of the outcome of the case, where the accused is granted of any bail and the terms of any special bail conditions on the same day or within 24 hours of the accused appearing in court. Where an accused has been released from custody and VIA has been unable to contact the victim, the police will be asked to do so.

Domestic Abuse

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place to ensure that cases relating to domestic abuse are referred to the Victims Advice and Information service.

Frank Mulholland: All cases of domestic abuse are referred electronically to Victim Information and Advice (VIA) staff by the Procurator Fiscal who has marked the case for criminal proceedings. procurators fiscal are provided with guidance and training on the referral procedure and there is an electronic prompt when marking any case to remind staff to consider whether the case should be referred to VIA.

Domestic Abuse

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, when considering plea bargains, what emphasis is placed on the sentence, particularly in domestic abuse cases, in order to give comfort to victims who are also witnesses so that they know that they have been believed.

Frank Mulholland: Procurators fiscal have a duty to consider all pleas of guilty offered by the defence and to accept them where it is in the public interest to do so. The likely sentence is one factor in the process of considering whether to accept any pleas which the accused is prepared to offer. Other factors, include, the nature and gravity of the offences libelled, the views of the victim, where known, and the effect of adjusted pleas in avoiding the attendance and testimony of witnesses.

Domestic Abuse

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when considering plea bargains, what emphasis is placed on the sentence, particularly in domestic abuse cases, in order to give comfort to victims who are also witnesses so that they know society and the legal system will not tolerate domestic abuse.

Frank Mulholland: The possible sentence is one of many factors the Procurator Fiscal considers in deciding whether to accept any plea which the accused is prepared to offer. A plea will only be accepted when it is considered to be in the public interest to do so.

  There is a joint protocol between the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). The protocol stresses the seriousness of domestic abuse and includes the presumption in favour of prosecuting all cases of domestic abuse which involve violence against the victim where there is sufficient evidence in law to prosecute.

Domestic Abuse

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what training prosecution service staff receive regarding domestic abuse in order to understand its effects and the likely behaviour of witnesses who have spoken out about their personal experiences after a long period of abuse.

Frank Mulholland: All new procurators fiscal receive training on domestic abuse during their induction training. This training provides them with a basic understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse and the policy and practice which should be followed when taking decisions and prosecuting domestic abuse cases.

  A comprehensive one-day training course on domestic abuse is also provided at the Scottish Prosecution College. That course is aimed at procurators fiscal, precognition officers and Victim Information and Advice (VIA) staff and includes input from the police and Scottish Women’s Aid. The course covers the power and control involved in domestic abuse, raises awareness of the different issues which can affect victims, explains the response from the police and prosecution staff and includes practical exercise sessions.

Domestic Abuse

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that when an individual is prosecuted for domestic abuse they do not inadvertently become a victim of abuse.

Frank Mulholland: In dealing with domestic abuse cases, the police and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are committed to identifying best practice and obtaining consistency of approach in the investigation reporting and prosecution of these cases, with a view to improving the service that is provided to the public.

  The Procurator Fiscal will consider all the circumstances of the case before deciding whether it is in the public interest to prosecute or, in exceptional cases, to take other action.

Drug Misuse

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its assessment is of research conducted by the Centre for Drug Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow in 2000 that found that 70% of people detained by the police had drugs in their system; whether it considers that this proportion has changed significantly in the last nine years, and, if so, what action it intends to take.

Fergus Ewing: The research conducted by the Centre for Drug Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow in 2000 made a contribution to the debate on the voluntary drug testing of arrestees. However, it was a pilot study limited to Strathclyde and Fife, and only interviewees who voluntarily consented received urine tests. The result cannot, therefore, be assumed to be representative of all arrestees in Fife and Strathclyde or throughout Scotland at that time. Scottish Government commissioned social research evaluating the current pilots of Mandatory Drug Testing of Arrestees will be published on 12 May 2009. This evaluation will inform decisions on whether or not Mandatory Drug Testing of Arrestees should be rolled-out across Scotland, but will not produce figures that can be compared with the 2000 pilot study.

Employment Tribunals

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how many dismissed local government employees in the Lothians region received awards from an employment tribunal and what amounts were paid, broken down by local authority and number of dismissals for (a) gross misconduct, (b) capability - general, (c) capability - ill health and (d) other reasons in each of the last five years.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23251 on 6 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Enterprise

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many newsagents there have been in each year since 1999, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

John Swinney: Data which separately identify newsagents is not held centrally.

  However, the number of outlets in Scotland whose main business activity is "Retail sale by confectioners, tobacconists and newsagents (CTNs)" is shown in the table below from 1999 to 2008 by Scottish parliamentary constituency.

  

 Parliamentary Constituency
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008


 Aberdeen Central
 20
 20
 20
 25
 25
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20


 Aberdeen North
 10
 10
 10
 15
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10


 Aberdeen South
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 10
 10
 15


 Airdrie and Shotts
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15


 Angus
 5
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15


 Argyll and Bute
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 20
 15
 20
 15
 15


 Ayr
 15
 15
 20
 20
 20
 15
 15
 20
 20
 15


 Banff and Buchan
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10


 Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
 10
 10
 10
 15
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15


 Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
 10
 10
 15
 15
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15


 Central Fife
 15
 20
 20
 20
 20
 15
 15
 15
 10
 10


 Clydebank and Milngavie
 15
 15
 20
 20
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15


 Clydesdale
 15
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15
 10
 15
 15


 Coatbridge and Chryston
 10
 10
 15
 15
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15


 Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
 5
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10


 Cunninghame North
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 25


 Cunninghame South
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 5
 10


 Dumbarton
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 20
 20
 25


 Dumfries
 5
 5
 5
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15


 Dundee East
 15
 20
 20
 25
 30
 30
 30
 25
 30
 30


 Dundee West
 25
 25
 30
 35
 35
 35
 35
 30
 30
 35


 Dunfermline East
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 10


 Dunfermline West
 15
 20
 25
 25
 25
 20
 20
 20
 15
 15


 East Kilbride
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 10


 East Lothian
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10


 Eastwood
 20
 15
 20
 25
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20
 25


 Edinburgh Central
 40
 50
 45
 40
 40
 35
 40
 40
 40
 40


 Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
 20
 20
 25
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20
 25
 25


 Edinburgh North and Leith
 25
 35
 35
 35
 40
 40
 40
 40
 40
 40


 Edinburgh Pentlands
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10


 Edinburgh South
 25
 25
 30
 30
 25
 25
 25
 20
 20
 25


 Edinburgh West
 10
 15
 20
 20
 15
 20
 15
 15
 20
 15


 Falkirk East
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 20
 15
 15
 15
 15


 Falkirk West
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 20


 Galloway and Upper Nithsdale
 5
 5
 5
 5
 5
 5
 10
 10
 10
 10


 Glasgow Anniesland
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15


 Glasgow Baillieston
 15
 15
 15
 15
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10


 Glasgow Cathcart
 15
 20
 15
 20
 25
 25
 20
 25
 30
 25


 Glasgow Govan
 25
 25
 25
 30
 30
 30
 35
 30
 35
 35


 Glasgow Kelvin
 55
 60
 65
 75
 75
 65
 70
 65
 65
 70


 Glasgow Maryhill
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 20
 20
 20
 20


 Glasgow Pollok
 15
 20
 20
 20
 15
 15
 20
 15
 20
 20


 Glasgow Rutherglen
 15
 15
 15
 20
 15
 15
 15
 20
 20
 15


 Glasgow Shettleston
 25
 30
 25
 35
 35
 45
 40
 35
 35
 40


 Glasgow Springburn
 15
 20
 20
 20
 20
 25
 25
 20
 25
 25


 Gordon
 10
 15
 15
 10
 10
 5
 5
 5
 10
 10


 Greenock and Inverclyde
 10
 15
 10
 15
 10
 20
 15
 15
 15
 15


 Hamilton North and Bellshill
 5
 5
 5
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15


 Hamilton South
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 10


 Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 10
 10
 15
 15
 20


 Kilmarnock and Loudoun
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 10
 15
 15
 15
 20


 Kirkcaldy
 20
 15
 20
 25
 20
 25
 25
 20
 15
 10


 Linlithgow
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20


 Livingston
 10
 10
 20
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 10
 15


 Midlothian
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 20
 20


 Moray
 10
 5
 5
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10


 Motherwell and Wishaw
 15
 15
 15
 20
 15
 20
 20
 20
 20
 20


 North East Fife
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10


 North Tayside
 10
 15
 15
 20
 20
 20
 15
 15
 15
 20


 Ochil
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15


 Orkney & Shetland
 0
 0
 0
 5
 5
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15


 Paisley North
 5
 5
 10
 10
 10
 25
 30
 25
 25
 25


 Paisley South
 15
 20
 25
 25
 25
 20
 20
 25
 25
 25


 Perth
 20
 20
 20
 25
 25
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10


 Ross, Skye and Inverness West
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15


 Roxburgh and Berwickshire
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Stirling
 10
 15
 20
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 20


 Strathkelvin and Bearsden
 10
 10
 10
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15
 15


 Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale
 5
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 10
 15


 West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
 10
 5
 10
 10
 10
 5
 5
 5
 5
 5


 West Renfrewshire
 10
 15
 15
 20
 15
 15
 20
 15
 15
 15


 Western Isles
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Scotland
 980
 1,065
 1,160
 1,265
 1,220
 1,205
 1,225
 1,205
 1,230
 1,295



  Source: Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) which is maintained by the Office for National Statistics.

Environment

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what statistics or information from the last five years it is using to establish how to reduce the emissions from its key transport projects.

Stewart Stevenson: Decisions on key transport projects are informed using the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG). One of the five criteria appraised in STAG is environment, which includes an assessment of the change in physical carbon emissions.

  Carbon emissions from the transport sector as a whole are calculated using the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI). For individual schemes, road emissions are calculated using NAEI formulae whilst rail emissions are calculated using the Strategic Rail Authority’s Rail Emission Model.

Fisheries

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending the membership of inshore fisheries groups to include representatives of conservation and sea angling groups.

Richard Lochhead: Membership of an Inshore Fisheries Group (IFG) is open to commercial fishermen who operate in the IFG area. An IFG must liaise with all relevant stakeholders, such as recreational sea anglers and conservation groups, as it develops its management plan. Where locally appropriate we would expect these interests to be included formally within the IFG’s Advisory Group, which exists to provide expert advice to the IFG and to provide the necessary checks and balances to ensure robust management plans that accord with wider environmental, social, economic and management objectives.

Fisheries

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it first became aware of problems with the fishing quota management system.

Richard Lochhead: The shortcomings of the current UK quota management system has been recognised for a number of years. Indeed, many of the deficiencies with quota management, common across Europe, have also been highlighted in the European Commission’s recently launched consultation on the future of the CFP (Green Paper).

Forth Crossing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times Transport Scotland has been contacted by people living near the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing looking for further information on how the proposed bridge may affect them and their family.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses Transport Scotland have issued to people living near the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing who are concerned about the proposed bridge or seeking information.

Stewart Stevenson: Correspondence to the Forth Replacement Crossing team is not logged in a way which would allow exact numbers to answer the terms of this question. The Forth Replacement Crossing team is committed to responding to all correspondence and enquiries regarding the project in a timely and helpful manner.

Forth Crossing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meeting requests it or Transport Scotland has received from concerned people living near the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing and how many meetings have taken place.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland has arranged and met with all directly affected landowners.

  Through residents’ associations and community council meetings, Transport Scotland has sought to address concerns raised by residents. These meetings will be on-going throughout the project.

  In addition, Transport Scotland has met with concerned people living near the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing at public exhibitions held in August 2007 and January 2009 following key developments with the project. 4,465 people registered their attendance at the August 2007 exhibitions and over 2,200 people attended the exhibitions held this January.

Homelessness

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many households were assessed as homeless where the main applicant was aged 16 in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority.

Alex Neil: This information was not available prior to December 2001 as dates of birth were not recorded. The table below contains the numbers of households assessed as homeless where the main applicant was aged 16.

  

 
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 Scotland
 1,441
 1,408
 1,477
 1,457
 1,408
 1,402


 Aberdeen City
 51
 32
 33
 33
 37
 29


 Aberdeenshire
 41
 44
 38
 31
 66
 53


 Angus
 27
 38
 35
 38
 28
 47


 Argyll and Bute
 42
 41
 35
 35
 36
 35


 Clackmannanshire
 17
 21
 28
 27
 39
 37


 Dumfries and Galloway
 35
 36
 48
 41
 33
 36


 Dundee City
 43
 33
 31
 39
 41
 65


 East Ayrshire
 18
 27
 27
 25
 20
 28


 East Dunbartonshire
 3
 8
 10
 3
 8
 7


 East Lothian
 16
 8
 18
 32
 27
 25


 East Renfrewshire
 5
 8
 14
 7
 6
 7


 Edinburgh
 228
 197
 179
 167
 140
 120


 Eilean Siar
 6
 4
 4
 5
 5
 7


 Falkirk
 48
 37
 36
 50
 48
 69


 Fife
 92
 137
 111
 141
 136
 110


 Glasgow City
 249
 221
 261
 214
 199
 145


 Highland
 51
 72
 67
 80
 69
 63


 Inverclyde
 18
 15
 21
 11
 15
 12


 Midlothian
 20
 26
 34
 27
 36
 30


 Moray
 7
 13
 16
 25
 25
 35


 North Ayrshire
 72
 62
 36
 49
 57
 43


 North Lanarkshire
 50
 50
 80
 76
 73
 82


 Orkney
 3
 4
 6
 7
 10
 6


 Perth and Kinross
 23
 41
 39
 23
 25
 23


 Renfrewshire
 19
 24
 23
 28
 28
 44


 Scottish Borders
 19
 32
 19
 18
 25
 33


 Shetland
 9
 3
 2
 2
 8
 5


 South Ayrshire
 23
 18
 20
 30
 29
 43


 South Lanarkshire
 71
 47
 48
 47
 48
 55


 Stirling
 17
 17
 28
 25
 12
 18


 West Dunbartonshire
 26
 23
 33
 38
 26
 32


 West Lothian
 92
 69
 97
 83
 53
 58

Homelessness

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) adults and (b) adults with children have been temporarily housed in bed and breakfast accommodation in the Lothians region since 1997, broken down by (i) quarter and (ii) local authority.

Alex Neil: Homelessness statistics provide information on the numbers of households in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter. Information on households including dependent children is only available for the Lothians local authorities from 2001.

  The first table show the numbers of households in bed and breakfast accommodation. The second shows the number of households containing dependent children in bed and breakfast accommodation.

  Table 1:

  

 
 East Lothian
 Edinburgh
 Midlothian
 West Lothian


 March 1997
 22
 0
 5
 0


 June 1997
 24
 19
 15
 0


 September 1997
 27
 20
 3
 0


 December 1997
 18
 8
 5
 0


 March 1998
 24
 28
 3
 0


 June 1998
 27
 24
 12
 0


 September 1998
 34
 42
 1
 0


 December 1998
 22
 32
 3
 0


 March 1999
 25
 31
 2
 0


 June 1999
 31
 38
 3
 0


 September 1999
 23
 54
 5
 0


 December 1999
 19
 61
 4
 0


 March 2000
 20
 70
 4
 0


 June 2000
 19
 68
 1
 0


 September 2000
 31
 64
 5
 0


 December 2000
 17
 62
 2
 0


 March 2001
 26
 90
 5
 0


 June 2001
 32
 66
 14
 0


 September 2001
 40
 70
 8
 0


 December 2001
 32
 45
 5
 0


 March 2002
 32
 84
 11
 0


 June 2002
 45
 98
 6
 0


 September 2002
 27
 97
 5
 0


 December 2002
 33
 94
 9
 0


 March 2003
 41
 87
 6
 0


 June 2003
 49
 129
 10
 0


 September 2003
 61
 157
 9
 0


 December 2003
 51
 154
 11
 0


 March 2004
 59
 192
 2
 0


 June 2004
 70
 192
 42
 0


 September 2004
 75
 191
 39
 2


 December 2004
 59
 171
 56
 1


 March 2005
 83
 187
 104
 0


 June 2005
 40
 171
 56
 1


 September 2005
 51
 191
 48
 0


 December 2005
 25
 192
 60
 0


 March 2006
 58
 199
 62
 0


 June 2006
 57
 195
 49
 0


 September 2006
 83
 222
 53
 0


 December 2006
 44
 203
 65
 0


 March 2007
 43
 222
 85
 0


 June 2007
 54
 238
 94
 0


 September 2007
 47
 260
 73
 0


 December 2007
 54
 241
 55
 0


 March 2008
 60
 257
 78
 0


 June 2008
 53
 284
 99
 0


 September 2008
 57
 290
 104
 0


 December 2008
 45
 292
 94
 0



  Table 2:

  

 
 East Lothian
 Edinburgh
 Midlothian
 West Lothian


 March 2001
 0
 14
 0
 0


 June 2001
 15
 3
 9
 0


 September 2001
 12
 7
 3
 0


 December 2001
 10
 2
 1
 0


 March 2002
 9
 6
 4
 0


 June 2002
 9
 6
 2
 0


 September 2002
 6
 6
 2
 0


 December 2002
 7
 12
 0
 0


 March 2003
 15
 9
 0
 0


 June 2003
 21
 9
 3
 0


 September 2003
 19
 15
 3
 0


 December 2003
 14
 3
 4
 0


 March 2004
 18
 3
 1
 0


 June 2004
 26
 6
 8
 0


 September 2004
 26
 6
 5
 0


 December 2004
 23
 0
 4
 0


 March 2005
 16
 0
 12
 0


 June 2005
 19
 0
 14
 0


 September 2005
 28
 0
 15
 0


 December 2005
 0
 0
 12
 0


 March 2006
 16
 0
 12
 0


 June 2006
 19
 0
 14
 0


 September 2006
 28
 0
 15
 0


 December 2006
 0
 0
 12
 0


 March 2007
 3
 0
 18
 0


 June 2007
 14
 0
 26
 0


 September 2007
 4
 0
 16
 0


 December 2007
 2
 0
 10
 0


 March 2008
 7
 0
 12
 0


 June 2008
 7
 0
 25
 0


 September 2008
 3
 0
 27
 0


 December 2008
 1
 0
 22
 0

Housing

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many mortgage repossession orders were granted in each year since 1997, broken down by sheriff court.

Fergus Ewing: It is not possible to provide information on the total number of mortgage repossession decrees granted since 1997, as decrees which were granted under Summary Application procedure could not be identified in the statistics prior to 1 April 2008. However, court actions for repossession are very rarely made under Summary Application procedure and so only a very small number of decrees will be omitted from the data collected. From 1 April 2008 information on the number of all repossession decrees granted is collected.

  The Number of Ordinary Cause1 Mortgage Lender2 Actions Disposed of by Sheriff Courts in Favour of the Pursuer3, by court, 1997-2008

  


 
 1997
 1998
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 20084


 Jan-Mar
 Apr-Dec


 Aberdeen
 184
 172
 208
 200
 142
 219
 219
 129
 188
 56
 15
 39
 136


 Airdrie
 193
 234
 344
 310
 340
 265
 208
 237
 302
 291
 344
 142
 329


 Alloa
 36
 69
 75
 49
 54
 34
 34
 46
 9
 10
 38
 32
 12


 Arbroath
 36
 59
 56
 83
 69
 35
 34
 26
 42
 51
 47
 14
 30


 Ayr
 138
 148
 138
 169
 79
 74
 106
 115
 173
 182
 104
 25
 188


 Banff
 14
 22
 23
 43
 24
 18
 23
 20
 25
 28
 25
 2
 24


 Campbeltown
 7
 12
 8
 20
 7
 6
 6
 1
 10
 8
 18
 1
 10


 Cupar
 41
 36
 46
 48
 45
 26
 19
 38
 46
 52
 47
 15
 60


 Dingwall
 15
 21
 33
 40
 26
 21
 14
 9
 9
 23
 16
 4
 20


 Dornoch
 1
 4
 12
 15
 7
 5
 4
 0
 1
 1
 3
 2
 0


 Dumbarton
 103
 196
 183
 186
 146
 33
 43
 20
 88
 109
 100
 36
 175


 Dumfries
 42
 49
 58
 73
 69
 58
 47
 26
 49
 67
 76
 23
 88


 Dundee
 143
 164
 195
 174
 210
 72
 48
 132
 148
 156
 136
 42
 137


 Dunfermline
 155
 182
 176
 143
 127
 169
 136
 119
 173
 168
 122
 37
 204


 Dunoon
 18
 29
 33
 13
 14
 0
 6
 2
 0
 1
 8
 0
 9


 Duns5
 11
 15
 16
 3
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2
 0
 7


 Edinburgh
 528
 563
 617
 344
 209
 258
 214
 296
 476
 684
 669
 243
 579


 Elgin
 33
 36
 45
 56
 60
 36
 34
 30
 34
 45
 55
 13
 36


 Falkirk
 115
 139
 206
 153
 120
 170
 61
 96
 183
 166
 162
 36
 162


 Forfar
 18
 27
 27
 15
 12
 39
 3
 18
 6
 9
 9
 0
 15


 Fort William
 4
 11
 7
 13
 13
 7
 8
 5
 10
 10
 7
 1
 10


 Glasgow
 858
 1,048
 1,187
 886
 927
 548
 463
 330
 261
 16
 5
 0
 810


 Greenock
 45
 76
 70
 80
 56
 15
 73
 81
 89
 65
 91
 33
 83


 Haddington
 87
 73
 108
 63
 76
 40
 38
 6
 40
 2
 35
 25
 100


 Hamilton
 166
 71
 218
 483
 363
 122
 170
 383
 560
 294
 235
 241
 613


 Inverness
 78
 110
 93
 84
 132
 66
 56
 17
 12
 36
 48
 11
 64


 Jedburgh6
 21
 33
 34
 34
 11
 0
 3
 13
 21
 3
 8
 0
 25


 Kilmarnock
 220
 252
 232
 53
 129
 161
 226
 223
 268
 291
 285
 109
 320


 Kirkcaldy
 175
 223
 265
 174
 185
 151
 120
 121
 195
 199
 150
 76
 234


 Kirkcudbright
 16
 5
 17
 22
 11
 5
 7
 9
 10
 9
 13
 8
 12


 Kirkwall
 4
 2
 7
 20
 2
 3
 0
 0
 0
 7
 0
 0
 2


 Lanark
 49
 66
 22
 44
 45
 2
 0
 37
 58
 45
 57
 17
 71


 Lerwick
 2
 12
 12
 7
 5
 2
 4
 4
 8
 2
 7
 1
 2


 Linlithgow
 158
 248
 295
 229
 163
 137
 131
 139
 102
 206
 199
 51
 213


 Lochmaddy7
 1
 3
 4
 1
 1
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 7
 1
 3


 Oban
 12
 18
 22
 12
 12
 8
 3
 12
 9
 12
 17
 5
 10


 Paisley
 197
 148
 319
 91
 147
 150
 183
 98
 214
 208
 341
 109
 380


 Peebles
 7
 6
 13
 13
 3
 3
 0
 0
 2
 4
 5
 0
 18


 Perth
 84
 106
 148
 88
 74
 59
 37
 15
 15
 49
 82
 30
 93


 Peterhead
 53
 62
 80
 98
 94
 52
 62
 65
 57
 64
 31
 14
 45


 Portree8
 4
 6
 15
 8
 13
 8
 13
 8
 7
 13
 8
 3
 2


 Rothesay
 7
 10
 13
 16
 16
 3
 12
 7
 6
 1
 8
 4
 13


 Selkirk
 23
 36
 38
 38
 28
 21
 17
 27
 32
 49
 25
 0
 22


 Stirling
 46
 64
 60
 67
 40
 33
 34
 34
 41
 45
 50
 16
 92


 Stonehaven
 37
 21
 37
 49
 43
 29
 24
 10
 28
 35
 27
 9
 26


 Stornoway
 5
 9
 11
 3
 10
 6
 5
 5
 4
 5
 3
 2
 3


 Stranraer
 19
 25
 29
 19
 15
 17
 18
 11
 21
 27
 29
 4
 26


 Tain
 15
 11
 7
 13
 3
 5
 12
 10
 16
 8
 9
 2
 9


 Wick
 0
 1
 7
 5
 0
 3
 5
 11
 9
 6
 4
 0
 15


 Total
 4,224
 4,933
 5,869
 4,850
 4,377
 3,195
 2,983
 3,041
 4,057
 3,818
 3,782
 1,478
 5,537




  Notes:

  1. An ordinary cause is a type of court procedure. Up to 13 January 2008 it refers to cases where the value of the claim was over £1,500 and from 14 January 2008 over £5,000, or complex legal issues were involved.

  2. Repossession of property in breach/default of a house purchase loan.

  3. The final judgment found in favour of the person raising the action, in this case the lender.

  4. From 1 April 2008 decrees for repossession of property in breach/default of a loan secured on that property are included. In addition to this, changes were made to the data collection method to improve the accuracy of the data. As a result, data collected before April 2008 are not comparable with data collected after April 2008.

  5. Data for Duns sheriff court for May 2000 to March 2007 are included with the data for Jedburgh sheriff court.

  6. Includes data for Duns sheriff court for the period May 2000 to March 2007.

  7. Data for Lochmaddy sheriff court for April 2002 to October 2006 are included with the data for Portree sheriff court.

  8. Includes data for Lochmaddy sheriff court for the period April 2002 to October 2006.

  9. The data are management information statistics which have not been subjected to the same quality assurance standards as statistics produced by the Government Statistical Service.

  10. In addition to this, it is believed that the data contain significant inaccuracies, as some "mortgage lender" actions were misclassified as "land or heritable estate" actions, and vice versa, and disposed cases were undercounted. These inaccuracies affect the data prior to April 2008 and as a result some apparent trends seen in the data do not reflect real changes. For example, Glasgow’s figures show a very large increase in the period April to December 2008 which is incorrect as prior to this their "mortgage lender" actions had been wrongly classified as "land or heritable estate" actions and are therefore significantly undercounted in the table above.

  11. The Scottish Court Service, the data provider, is working with Justice Analytical Services to improve the accuracy and level of detail of the civil judicial statistics it collects. This work includes changes to the configuration and use of electronic systems for case management and data capture throughout the civil courts, which were put in place in the (civil) sheriff courts in April 2008 and the Court of Session in April 2009. In particular, actions for repossession can now be more easily and accurately identified.

  12. The only means to recover accurate civil judicial statistics prior to April 2008 is to examine the paper records held in each of the 49 sheriff courts. However, it would be prohibitively resource-intensive to carry out such an exercise and therefore at the present time no action has been taken to correct historical data and instead the focus has been on providing accurate data from April 2008 onwards.

  13. A decree for repossession which has been granted does not necessarily result in an actual repossession or eviction. Therefore, the figures cannot be used to estimate the number of repossessions. It is not known what proportion of mortgage lender decrees granted result in an actual repossession or whether the proportion stays constant each year. Hence it cannot be inferred that a rise (or fall) in these decrees equates to a rise (or fall) in repossessions.

  14. Virtually all court actions for repossession are made under Ordinary Cause procedure, but a small number are made under Summary Application procedure. No cases of this type were disposed of in favour of the pursuer during the period from April 2008 to December 2008.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses bought from the private sector through the accelerated housing funding do not meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.

Alex Neil: Fifteen of the total 184 homes bought through the accelerated programme did not meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard at the time of purchase. These 15 homes were former Ministry of Defence Properties and their quality was reflected in their purchase price. These houses have since had new heating systems, kitchens and insulation and will meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard when let in late July 2009.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many houses bought from the private sector through the accelerated housing funding do not meet Housing for Varying Needs standards or the building regulations that came into force in 2007.

Alex Neil: Eighty-nine of the 184 homes bought "Off the Shelf" through the accelerated Affordable Housing Investment Programme (AHIP) funding did not meet either Housing for Varying Needs Standards or 2007 Building Regulations.

  The areas of non-compliance were assessed as being of low concern when letting for general use and the homes were in areas of high demand and supported by the relevant local authorities. Examples of non-compliance were areas such as electrical socket heights and drying area provision. Where there were opportunities to increase compliance, as units were still on site being completed, these were maximised.

Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for a procurator fiscal to refer a case to the Victims Advice and Information service.

Frank Mulholland: Procurators Fiscal refer to Victim Information and Advice (VIA) staff in their office of all cases with victims, witnesses and/or families, who are eligible for the VIA service. This service is available to victims of, and witnesses to, crimes reported to the Procurator Fiscal which involve:

  domestic abuse;

  racial or religious aggravation;

  sexual offences;

  child victims and witnesses, and

  crimes where any trial is likely to involve a jury.

  The service is also available to the nearest relatives in cases of deaths which may involve criminal proceedings, or where there is to be a fatal accident inquiry or significant further inquiries and to vulnerable witnesses or victims who may need additional support. Referral to VIA is made once a decision has been taken to initiate criminal proceedings.

Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, when considering plea bargains, what recognition is given to the views of victims who are also witnesses.

Frank Mulholland: Procurators fiscal have a duty to consider all pleas of guilty offered by the defence and to accept them where it is in the public interest to do so. The views of the victim may, where known, be taken into account at the discretion of the Procurator Fiscal as one factor in the process of considering whether to accept any pleas which the accused is prepared to offer. Other factors include the nature and gravity of the offences charged, the likely sentence and the effect of adjusted pleas in avoiding the attendance and testimony of witnesses.

Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that witnesses who are also victims receive the same information regarding a case as witnesses who are not victims.

Frank Mulholland: Victim Information and Advice (VIA) staff provide information to victims of, and witnesses to, crimes reported to the Procurator Fiscal which involve:

  domestic abuse;

  racial or religious aggravation;

  sexual offences;

  child victims and witnesses, and

  crimes where any trial is likely to involve a jury.

  The information provided to victims includes:

  dates of court hearings;

  decisions made about bail;

  trial verdicts;

  sentencing, and

  the outcome of any appeal.

  Victims receive the same level of information regardless of whether they are cited to give evidence at trial.

Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that victims who are also witnesses receive the same information regarding possible plea bargains as victims who are not witnesses.

Frank Mulholland: Procurators fiscal have a duty to consider all pleas of guilty offered by the defence and to accept them where it is in the public interest to do so. The views of the victim may, where known, be taken into account at the discretion of the Procurator Fiscal as one factor in the process of considering whether to accept any pleas which the accused is prepared to offer.

  Victims receive the same level of information regardless of whether they are cited to give evidence at trial.

Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive at what age it considers that children are able to receive information in their own right on a case where they are victims and whether this differs from the age of criminal responsibility.

Frank Mulholland: Victim Information and Advice will provide information direct to victims and witnesses aged 12 years and over. Where a child victim or witness aged seven to 11 years lives with a parent or guardian, VIA sends information to the parent or guardian to pass on to the child. The age of criminal responsibility in Scotland is currently eight years.

Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the age at which children are able to receive information in their own right on cases where they are victims differs from the age of criminal responsibility.

Frank Mulholland: In considering the age at which it was appropriate for Victim Information and Advice (VIA) to send information on case progress direct to children and young people in their own right, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service consulted with the Children’s Commissioner. This is also consistent with the Vulnerable Witness (Scotland) Act 2004 which presumes that a child witness is of sufficient age and maturity to form a view on special measures if aged 12 or older.

  It should be noted that the proposed changes to the age of criminal responsibility will harmonise this.

Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive at what age it considers that children are able to receive information in their own right on cases where they are witnesses and whether this differs from the age of criminal responsibility.

Frank Mulholland: In considering the age at which it was appropriate for Victim Information and Advice (VIA) to send information on case progress direct to children and young people in their own right, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service consulted with the Children’s Commissioner. This is also consistent with the Vulnerable Witness (Scotland) Act 2004 which presumes that a child witness is of sufficient age and maturity to form a view on special measures if aged 12 or older.

  It should be noted that the proposed changes to the age of criminal responsibility will harmonise this.

Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the age at which children are able to receive information in their own right on cases where they are witnesses differs from the age of criminal responsibility.

Frank Mulholland: In considering the age at which it was appropriate for Victim Information and Advice (VIA) to send information on case progress direct to children and young people in their own right, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service consulted with the Children’s Commissioner. This is also consistent with the Vulnerable Witness (Scotland) Act 2004 which presumes that a child witness is of sufficient age and maturity to form a view on special measures if aged 12 or older.

  It should be noted that the proposed changes to the age of criminal responsibility will harmonise this.

Livestock

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive which EU ministers the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has met to discuss electronic identification for sheep.

Richard Lochhead: Electronic identification of sheep was discussed with those ministers present at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 23 March 2009. I have also discussed this with the UK Minister Hilary Benn.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that Marine Scotland, which is part of the Scottish Government, will work effectively with the UK Marine Management Organisation, which is to be established as an non-departmental public body.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the relationship of Marine Scotland will be with the UK Marine Management Organisation.

Richard Lochhead: Arrangements will be agreed between the Scottish Government and the UK Government to ensure that Marine Scotland and the UK Marine Management Organisation will work effectively together when and where necessary.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether advice given to ministers by Marine Scotland will be published.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether advice from Marine Scotland to ministers will be published on an on-going basis.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland, as part of the Scottish Government, operates in accordance with the requirements of the freedom of information (FOI) legislation and fully supports transparency and openness. In line with our "Six Principles" of FOI we publish information proactively wherever possible. In relation to advice given to ministers, any decision to publish proactively or to release in response to a request for information, will be taken on a case-by-case basis. In such cases full consideration is given to the public interest in release as well as the public interest in the need to allow for the uninhibited exchange of views and advice between Ministers and officials so as to assist and protect the formulation or development of policy.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure transparency in the decisions made by Marine Scotland.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure transparency in the operation of Marine Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: Full, detailed arrangements in relation to Marine Scotland are being worked up, as part of the transition process during the current operating year. However, as part of Scottish Government, Marine Scotland is accountable, through ministers, to the Scottish Parliament. It will produce an annual report and a strategic plan and there will be arrangements for appropriate engagement with stakeholders. Generally, Marine Scotland will operate in a spirit of openness and transparency, subject to the need for uninhibited exchanges of views and advice to assist in the formulation and development of policy.

  In the spirit of such arrangements, we have already published a Strategy Statement for 2009, setting out the planned initial programme of work and background to the establishment of Marine Scotland. It can be accessed on the Scottish Government website at:

  www.scotland.gov.uk/marinescotland2009strategystatement.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish an environmental court to consider appeals against the decisions of Marine Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Marine Bill proposes powers for subordinate legislation to set out an appeals process with regards to decisions relating to marine licensing. The appeals process will be subject to consultation.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons the decision was made to transfer the research functions of the Fisheries Research Service to Marine Scotland.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons it made its decision to absorb the research functions of the Fisheries Research Services into Marine Scotland.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it will not retain the Fisheries Research Services as an independent advisory body.

Richard Lochhead: Science is central to our aspirations for marine management in Scotland, and to the role and responsibilities of Marine Scotland. We believe there are benefits for marine management in integrating science with policy development, delivery and other functions so that informed, holistic advice can be provided and appropriate, informed decisions can be made. There are also efficiency and value for money benefits for Scotland.

  We also recognise the importance of assuring scientific objectivity and credibility within the new arrangements and, to that end, will be appointing a panel of independent experts to a Science Advisory Board to assure the quality and independence of science.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunities will be provided by Marine Scotland for local communities to get involved in the process of marine planning.

Richard Lochhead: The Marine (Scotland) Bill has proposed provisions with regards to consultation when preparing a national marine plan or regional marine plans.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how Marine Scotland will provide opportunities for interested parties such as local communities and fishing interests and economic interests such as renewables companies, environmental organisations and animal welfare groups to be able to take part in the marine planning and decision-making process.

Richard Lochhead: Schedule 1 of the Marine (Scotland) Bill sets out the consultation requirements when creating a marine plan. These proposals will allow interested parties to take part in the marine planning process.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how Marine Scotland will work with the Crown Estate.

Richard Lochhead: As with any stakeholder Marine Scotland will work closely with the Crown Estate.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the new marine licensing regime will work.

Richard Lochhead: The marine licensing regime will be simplified where possible through provisions proposed within the Marine (Scotland) Bill.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what sort of appeals process it will develop for marine planning.

Richard Lochhead: The Marine (Scotland) Bill proposes provisions for an independent investigation should there be controversy regarding a draft national marine plan or regional marine plan.

  It is also proposed that the validity of the national marine plan or a regional marine plan could be challenged through the Court of Session.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how Marine Scotland will interact with the Scottish marine regions.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the relationship will be between Marine Scotland and the Scottish marine regions.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish ministers intend that there should be a close and harmonious relationship between Marine Scotland and the proposed Scottish Marine Regions. The Marine (Scotland) Bill sets out proposals for the designation of Scottish Marine regions and the delegation of functions.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the Scottish marine regions to be set up.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish marine regions will be devised.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish marine regions will be set up.

Richard Lochhead: It is too early to draw up such a list. The Marine (Scotland) Bill proposes powers for Scottish ministers to create and identify the boundaries of Scottish Marine Regions. We wish to work carefully with key bodies and local stakeholders before bringing forward our proposals.

  In Sustainable Seas for all, a consultation on Scotland’s first marine bill, we made clear our intention to consult upon the characteristics upon which the proposed Scottish Marine Regions will be based ahead of proposing secondary legislation.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether strategic marine planning will be carried out by the Scottish marine regions, local authorities or Marine Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: It is proposed that Marine Scotland will be responsible for strategic marine planning which will be set out in the National Marine Plan. Legislative proposals are set out in the Marine (Scotland) Bill.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish marine regions will interact with coastal communities.

Richard Lochhead: The Marine (Scotland) Bill includes proposed provisions for the delegation of regional marine planning to a lead authority or a group of nominated stakeholders. The delegates will be referred to as Marine Planning Partnerships.

  A Marine Planning Partnership will be responsible for marine planning and integrated coastal zone management in a marine region which will involve consultation and interaction with coastal communities.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish marine regions will be operational.

Richard Lochhead: The Marine (Scotland) Bill includes proposals for powers for Scottish ministers to create Scottish Marine Regions.

  We will take steps to set up Scottish Marine regions after appropriate legislation is in place.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish marine regions will engage with industry.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish marine regions will engage with NGOs.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish marine regions will engage with communities.

Richard Lochhead: The Marine (Scotland) Bill includes proposed provisions for the delegation of regional marine planning to a lead authority, where appropriate, and a group of nominated stakeholders representing various marine interests of a Scottish Marine Region. The delegates will be referred to as Marine Planning Partnerships.

  The Marine Planning Partnerships will engage with industry, NGO’s, communities and other marine interest groups through consultation on marine planning and through integrated coastal zone management as required through proposed provisions within the Marine (Scotland) Bill.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the setting up of Marine Scotland, what steps it is taking to ensure the continuation of close joint working between its marine research team and the fishing industry.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland Science has close working relationships with the fishing industry established under the former Scottish Government agency, Fisheries Research Services. Regular meetings are held with fishermen’s representative organisations including the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation to discuss matters of mutual interest. This includes regular meetings on scientific advice and the Scottish Industry Science Partnership. These arrangements will continue within Marine Scotland.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what drawbacks it envisages as a result of combining research and enforcement functions in Marine Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: We believe there are significant benefits overall in the creation of Marine Scotland.

  We recognise and have acknowledged, nonetheless, the need for reassurance about transparency and independence in relation to science and enforcement issues. As we have made clear in announcing and setting out our plans for Marine Scotland, we propose measures to address these issues – including through the likes of the planned Science Advisory Board and by ensuring appropriate operating arrangements and responsibilities.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it envisages on its marine research team’s ability to collect fisheries data as a result from combining research and enforcement functions in Marine Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: Access to high quality fisheries data is in the interests of both scientists and the fishing industry. Collaboration with scientists is supported by fishermen’s organisations providing a productive basis for continued data acquisition.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that its marine research team will be able to preserve a reputation for independent scientific advice when it becomes part of the Scottish Government as part of Marine Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: Fisheries Research Services enjoyed an international reputation for its science which Marine Scotland intends to build upon. The establishment of a Science Advisory Board will safeguard independence and add to the quality of Marine Scotland Science.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that Marine Scotland has regard to the five guiding principles of sustainable development.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has as its overall purpose to focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. This will deliver the principles of sustainable development.

  A key focus of proposals under the marine planning system is to ensure that Scotland’s marine and coastal environment is clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse to meet the long term needs of people, nature and marine industries. Scottish ministers intend that there will be a national marine plan for Scotland which will set out policies and priorities for the sustainable use, development, management and protection of Scotland’s seas and that Scotland will contribute to a UK Marine Policy Statement. The marine planning framework will make provision to set objectives which would be founded on the guiding principles of sustainable development.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how Marine Scotland will ensure that the views of organisations with an interest in conservation and recreation are taken into account with regard to the management of inshore fisheries.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland has long established links with conservation and recreation groups on inshore fisheries matters. A number of these groups are members of SIFAG (Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group) which meets to provide advice and guidance on inshore fisheries issues.

  At a local level the newly constituted Inshore Fisheries Groups (IFGs) must liaise with all relevant stakeholders, such as conservation groups and recreational sea anglers as they develop their management plan. Where locally appropriate we would expect these interests to be included formally within the IFG’s Advisory Group, which exists to provide expert advice to the IFG and to provide the necessary checks and balances to ensure robust management plans that accord with wider environmental, social, economic and management objectives.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Marine Scotland will have a duty to ensure an integrated management approach in and between Scottish, Manx and UK waters, regional seas such as the Irish Sea and oceans such as the Atlantic.

Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21911 on 23 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive where the headquarters of Marine Scotland will be.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland staff continue to occupy their existing premises, mostly in Edinburgh and Aberdeen but also at other locations throughout Scotland. The Director and most of the senior management team are located in Pentland House, Edinburgh although there are plans for them to be relocated to Victoria Quay during 2010.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any cost savings projected in the budgets of existing bodies as a result of the establishment of Marine Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: Savings are, for a variety of reasons, difficult to estimate precisely at this stage. However, on the basis of analysis done to date on the Marine Bill and related delivery arrangements, we anticipate savings of around £1.5 million annually due to efficiency gains from the establishment of Marine Scotland, as published in the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Marine Bill. Other savings are likely to accrue, for example from integrating within existing structures and responsibilities new planned functions and responsibilities set out in the Marine Bill, and from making more optimal use of marine surveillance assets. There will also be some transitional costs.

  This excludes costs related to the delivery of new functions and responsibilities, as set out in the Marine Bill.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be redundancies at existing bodies as a result of the establishment of Marine Scotland and, if so, how many.

Richard Lochhead: There will be no compulsory redundancies. Some staff have elected to take advantage of early severance/retirement opportunities offered as part of a wider recent Scottish Government initiative to achieve efficiency savings. Although the final outcome of that process will not be known until the end of the year, to date 16 staff have indicated acceptance of the early severance/retirement terms offered to them. Any other staff affected by restructuring as a consequence of the move to Marine Scotland will be re-deployed either within Marine Scotland or elsewhere.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers its aim of reducing the number of public bodies to be more important than the establishment of clear lines of accountability and responsibility for the carrying out of marine science, planning, policy development, management and compliance monitoring measures.

Richard Lochhead: No. There is no evident reason why both these aims cannot be achieved, to the benefit of Scotland.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list who will be on the Marine Strategy Board.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations will be represented on the Marine Strategy Board.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any appointments already made to the Marine Strategy Board.

Richard Lochhead: Detailed arrangements for the Marine Strategy Forum, including its membership, remit, meeting and other arrangements, have not yet been decided. It is proposed that it will be established by July.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the aims and objectives will be of the Marine Strategy Board.

Richard Lochhead: The Marine Strategy Forum is to be established to help ensure that Marine Scotland, its delivery partners and stakeholders work together on an integrated basis towards our overall purpose and our vision for our marine and coastal environments. More detailed arrangements are being worked up for the forum, which we aim to establish by July 2009.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been made available for Marine Scotland to carry out its functions of (a) policy development, (b) marine planning, (c) marine licensing and consenting, (d) scientific research and (e) compliance monitoring and enforcement.

Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22772 on 8 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

  It is for the director and senior management team of Marine Scotland to manage its overall budget, including across the range of its functions, in the light of demands, priorities and other circumstances.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff will carry out Marine Scotland’s functions of (a) policy development, (b) marine planning, (c) marine licensing and consenting, (d) scientific research and (e) compliance monitoring and enforcement.

Richard Lochhead: There is wide support for the establishment of Marine Scotland because of the improved marine management arrangements it will deliver. Establishing Marine Scotland on 1 April means it can begin to integrate existing functions and resources of the constituent bodies, and prepare for new functions once the Marine Bill is enacted. It also has the benefit of ending uncertainty for the staff involved, and others. 2009-10 will be a transitional year in which the work will be done to establish how best to fulfil Marine Scotland’s future remit and functions, as opposed to the remits of its predecessor constituent bodies, and the exact numbers of staff that will be required to do so. At this stage, therefore, it is not possible to be definitive in relation to the question asked but the following information represents the current position and provides an indication of possible future arrangements.

  Science and compliance within Marine Scotland each involve, currently, a total of around 280 staff, covering the range of their functions. In the case of compliance, this includes the Sea Fisheries Inspectorate, marine staff and headquarters operations and enforcement staff. Science functions include research, general science, technical support and engineering. There are currently around 130 other Marine Scotland staff dealing with a range of policy, delivery and related functions.

  The extent and allocation of resources devoted to particular activities in future will be subject to review as Marine Scotland develops and integrates existing and new functions, and in light of priorities, resource availability and other matters. That includes decisions on resources for marine planning, arrangements for which depend amongst other things on parliamentary consideration of the Marine Bill.

  We are also considering better streamlined marine licensing arrangements, including scope for a co-ordinating role for Marine Scotland. Future arrangements and resources related to that have yet to be decided.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff will be employed by Marine Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: The staff of Marine Scotland are employees of the Scottish Government. We estimate around 700 full time equivalents will be required to deliver the full range of planned Marine Scotland functions, although this depends on Parliamentary decisions on the Marine Bill, detailed arrangements for the delivery of existing and new functions, the scope for integration of roles and functions and other matters.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated to Marine Scotland for the next two years.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland’s budget is based on the resources for Marine and Fisheries announced in the Scottish Budget Spending Review 2007 and subsequent Budget Bills. Provision for this in 2009-10 is currently set at £77.9 million (net): details can be found at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/01/08095240/0.

  Equivalent provision for 2010-11 was set by the 2007 Spending Review at £70.8 million (net). Details can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/13092240/0.

  Marine Scotland’s provisional budget for 2009-10 is set out in its 2009 Strategy Statement, available at www.scotland.gov.uk/marinescotland2009strategystatement. This reflects gross expenditure provision related to Marine Scotland’s functions and excludes provision related to the former Marine Directorate’s Departmental Running Costs. The structure of the current Marine and Fisheries Budget and the sums available during 2009-10 will be revised at this year’s Autumn Budget Revision to take account of the establishment of Marine Scotland on 1 April 2009.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff will be employed by the Scottish marine regions.

Richard Lochhead: The Financial Memorandum accompanying the Marine (Scotland) Bill sets out the financial and staffing implications of the proposals to create Scottish Marine Regions. We envisage that Scottish Marine Regions would not necessarily employ staff directly.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what budget has been allocated for the Scottish marine regions over the next two years.

Richard Lochhead: The Marine (Scotland) Bill proposes order making powers for ministers to create Scottish Marine Regions. The Financial Memorandum accompanying the Bill provides an estimate of the cost but no specific allocation has been made over the next two years.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any appointments already made to the Scientific Advisory Board of Marine Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: No appointments to the Science Advisory Board have yet been made.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the first meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board of Marine Scotland will be.

Richard Lochhead: The first meeting of the Science Advisory Board will be arranged as soon as the membership has been established.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses in total to the Sustainable Seas For All consultation, not discriminating between those that were part of a campaign and those that were not, expressed the view that Marine Scotland should be independent of the Scottish Government.

Richard Lochhead: In total, 9135 respondents replied to the consultation. Of the 113 who responded to the question seeking comment on Marine Scotland as part of Scottish Government, 27 felt that Marine Scotland should be independent.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it has made for possible changes to the structure of Marine Scotland should such changes be made through the marine Bill.

Richard Lochhead: The proposals in the Marine (Scotland) Bill do not provide for the structure of Marine Scotland.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it has made for possible changes to the role of Marine Scotland should such changes be made through the marine Bill.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it has made for possible changes to the responsibilities of Marine Scotland should such changes be made through the marine Bill.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland was created as part of the Scottish Government and specific legislative provision is not included in the Marine (Scotland) Bill.

  Marine Scotland will carry out the functions created through the Scottish Marine Bill whatever they may be.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Marine Scotland will have a duty to promote the recovery of the marine ecosystem.

Richard Lochhead: The Marine (Scotland) Bill does not include a specific duty to promote the recovery of the marine ecosystem. The marine ecosystem is dynamic and marine management needs to recognise that. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires measures to be taken to achieve good environmental status. Marine Scotland will lead on implementation of the Directive in Scotland’s seas using new marine planning proposals in the Marine (Scotland) Bill and other mechanisms.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set targets for the recovery of the marine ecosystem and, if so, what these will be.

Richard Lochhead: The proposals in the Marine (Scotland) Bill include provisions for marine plans with marine ecosystem objectives. These will need to be developed to meet the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and in the context of any agreed Marine Policy Statement. It is too early to say what they will be.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether and how Marine Scotland will monitor the regeneration of the biodiversity of our inshore waters.

Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland, in partnership with statutory nature conservation advisers, will continue to monitor biodiversity in Scotland’s inshore waters through existing and new strategies, involving wider science institutes and other partner organisations.

Marine Scotland

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons it has published Natural Resource Productivity - Optimising the sustainable use of our natural resources to deliver the maximum economic and public benefit.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff were involved in the drafting of Natural Resource Productivity - Optimising the sustainable use of our natural resources to deliver the maximum economic and public benefit.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of drafting Natural Resource Productivity - Optimising the sustainable use of our natural resources to deliver the maximum economic and public benefit.

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment read the final version of Natural Resource Productivity - Optimising the sustainable use of our natural resources to deliver the maximum economic and public benefit before it was published.

Richard Lochhead: In my speeches to the Oxford Farming Conference on 6 January 2009 and the NFU Scotland National Council on 20 February 2009, I set out the Scottish Government’s vision for a future agriculture and rural policy based on the concept of Natural Resource Productivity. The leaflet was produced as a short summary of that vision, for use to support the government’s work in influencing policy development in Scotland’s interests, in particular at the European level. Officials dealing with agriculture policy, the Scotland Rural Development Programme, and food policy were involved in drafting the leaflet which was produced for me in March 2009, printed at a cost of £941.45, and put on the Scottish Government website on 8 April 2009.

Ministerial Visits

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial visits outwith Scotland there have been since May 2007, broken down by visit and showing the (a) total cost, (b) breakdown of expenditure and (c) purpose of each visit.

John Swinney: The information requested is taking longer that anticipated to answer and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available. A copy of the response will be available from Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48095).

Public Sector Staff

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it and its agencies paid in employers’ national insurance contributions in the most recent year for which figures are available.

John Swinney: In the year 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009, £16,715,898.76 was paid in Employers’ National Insurance contributions for the Scottish Government and its agencies.

Rail Network

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the investment provided for Perth, Dunkeld and Birnam, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl train stations since 2007.

Stewart Stevenson: All four stations have benefited from new investment, (Perth £350,000 Pitlochry £170,000 Dunkeld and Birnam £50,000 and Blair Atholl £50,000) from the Scottish Government, First ScotRail and Network Rail since 2007

  Improvements to facilities include a renewed customer information systems (CIS) and an expansion of the car park at Perth along with the installation of closed circuit TV (CCTV) and CIS at Pitlochry. Other enhancements include new passenger help points and equipment to enable automated public announcements.

Rail Network

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the investment provided for Stirling and Dunblane train stations since 2007.

Stewart Stevenson: Both stations have benefited from investment, Dunblane £130,000 and Stirling £280,000 from the Scottish Government, First ScotRail and Network Rail since 2007.

  This includes ticket office refurbishment, height adjustable ticket counter (accessible to wheelchair users), automatic doors, platform shelters and installation of equipment to enable automated public announcements.

Rail Network

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it expects the Airdrie to Bathgate line to open.

Stewart Stevenson: The Airdrie to Bathgate Railway improvement is currently planned to open on 12 December 2010 which is in line with the original schedule given by the project sponsors, Network Rail.

Road Safety

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many variable-message signs are located along the trunk road network.

Stewart Stevenson: At April 2009 there are a total of 164 Variable Message Signs (VMS) located along the trunk road network.

Road Safety

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many new variable-message signs have been installed along the trunk road network in each of the last five years.

Stewart Stevenson: The number of variable message signs (VMS) installed on the trunk road network in each of the last five years is as follows:

  2005 - 14

  2006 - 5 (in addition three signs were installed on the A90 non-trunk road)

  2007 - 2

  2008 - 11

  2009 – 1.

Road Safety

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria are for siting new variable-message signs along the trunk road network.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland considers the following criteria for siting new variable message signs (VMS) along the trunk road network:

  Distance from the junction (to allow decision making time for driver);

  Road alignment and visibility of variable message sign messages;

  Speed limit of the road;

  Existing verge width;

  Any nearby lay-by or other safe parking area that could be utilised for access for maintenance;

  Availability of nearby power supply;

  Existing services in verge;

  Existing equipment locations to allow grouping of equipment and maintenance access where possible;

  Visual backdrop in area (example trees or bridge) that might reduce negative visual impact of VMS;

  Surrounding properties, and

  Existing vehicle restraint systems (safety fences).

Road Safety

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has carried out on the impact on safety of variable-message signs located along the trunk road network.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland has not undertaken any specific research into the impact on safety of variable message signs (VMS) located along the trunk road network. The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges is used to ensure that the variable message signs are installed to the required safety standards. Road safety audits are undertaken at each VMS location to check these safety standards are met.

Roads

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation local authorities are required to undertake with local businesses and other stakeholders before granting permission to utility companies to undertake major works involving digging up streets that may lead to disruption and loss of amenity.

Stewart Stevenson: There is no statutory requirement on local authorities to consult with local businesses regarding planned road works.

  Before carrying out major works, it is normal practice for most utility companies to consult local businesses and other stakeholders in order to minimise the inconvenience caused by their activities. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 places a requirement on road authorities and utility companies to co-ordinate and plan works where possible. The Office of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner has been established to oversee compliance with the provisions of the 2005 act.

Roads

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is given to local authorities on the most appropriate time of year for giving planning permission to utility companies for works that involve digging up streets such as infrastructure upgrades.

Stewart Stevenson: No specific guidance is issued to local authorities. In most circumstances the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, as amended, grants a general planning permission that allows many utility companies and other statutory undertakers to carry out works, including the laying of underground pipes and other apparatus, without the need for the submission of a formal planning application. In the event that an application for formal planning permission was required, the requirements for neighbour notification, advertising and consultation with statutory bodies would depend on the circumstances of the case.

  Before starting works, utility companies are required by law to notify the relevant roads authority of their intention by placing a notice on the Scottish Road Works Register. Information on the register is available and accessible to all users of the road. Information on current and planned road works can be accessed at www.roadworksscotland.org. The Office of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner has been established to oversee compliance with the provisions of the legislation.

Roads

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the concerns of local businesses, especially in towns that depend on income from summer tourism, that utility companies are given permission to undertake major works that involve digging up streets during the summer months.

Stewart Stevenson: While it is appreciated that road improvements and road works by utility companies can be an inconvenience, they are a necessary fact of life, both to improve the road network and to supply consumers with the services they require. Although the vast majority of works are of a relatively short timescale and are unlikely to have any significant effect on business, other long-term works can and do cause disruption on a longer term basis.

  In many instances, major road works need to be carried out during the summer months when there is less risk of inclement weather preventing the roads authorities or utilities from completing their works within agreed timescales.

  Before starting works, utility companies are required by law to notify the relevant roads authority of their intention by placing a notice on the Scottish Road Works Register. Information on the register is available and accessible to all users of the road. Information on current and planned road works can be accessed at www.roadworksscotland.org. The Office of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner has been established to oversee compliance with the provisions of the legislation.

Roads

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spends per mile on maintaining the trunk road network.

Stewart Stevenson: In 2008-09, £131 million was spent maintaining the trunk road network. This equates to approximately £64,000 per mile. This excludes the lengths of trunk road managed under the Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contracts for sections of the M77 and A74(M).

Roads

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the distance is of the trunk road network in miles.

Stewart Stevenson: The total length of the trunk road network is 2116 miles, of which 243 miles are motorway and 104 miles are motorway slips.

  Source: Scottish Transport Statistics No 27 2008 Edition.

Scientific Research

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote and encourage the use of scientifically proven alternatives to animal-based testing.

Shona Robison: The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulates the use of animals in scientific procedures in the UK. This is a reserved area of legislation. In May 2004, a National Centre for the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) was set up. The NC3Rs brings together stakeholders in the 3Rs in academia, industry, government and animal welfare organisations to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas, and the translation of research findings into practice that will benefit both animals and science. The centre’s mission is to advance and promote the 3Rs in research and testing using animals. This is being achieved by:

  Developing a UK strategy for the implementation of the 3Rs

  Supporting high-quality research that advances the 3Rs

  Promoting a co-ordinated approach to 3Rs research

  Providing advice and guidance on the 3Rs and animal welfare to the scientific community

  Supporting the UK scientific community’s commitment to best practice in all aspects of laboratory animal science and welfare

  Working with regulators on the acceptance of alternative methods.

  Information on the activities of the NC3Rs is available on its website:

  http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/landing.asp?id=2.

Scottish Government

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all of its directorates have in place an asset management plan and whether these are publicly available.

John Swinney: In line with the recommendations of the Asset Management Review, published in January 2008, Asset Management Plans have been received from all parts of the Scottish Government where a separate plan is appropriate. These are not publicly available as they are commercially sensitive documents.

Scottish Government Buildings

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a comprehensive database of information on Scottish Government properties and whether it is publicly available in whole or in part.

John Swinney: There are two comprehensive databases of information on Scottish Government properties. Firstly, the electronic Property Information Mapping Service (e-PIMS) which has been developed by the Office of Government Commerce to record all central government civil estate information. Access to e-PIMS is only available across the Government as it contains commercially sensitive information. Secondly, the fixed asset register for core portfolios maintained by the Financial Reporting Unit within the Finance Directorate which is used for management and financial purposes and supports the data reported in the Scottish Government’s Consolidated Accounts. A comprehensive list of all properties held by the Scottish Government, its agencies, non-departmental public bodies’, health boards and public corporations is published by HM Treasury from time to time in the National Asset Register. The latest publication was January 2007. This is available electronically at the following link http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/psr_investment_nar_2007_index.htm . This is compiled using the fixed asset registers from all the different bodies.

Scottish Government Buildings

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a central team in place to maintain a strategic overview of the Scottish Government estate.

John Swinney: There is a central team in place that does maintain a strategic overview of the Scottish Government Estate within Change and Corporate Services Directorate.

Scottish Government Publications

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its annual spend on printing is and what percentage goes to Scottish companies.

John Swinney: The Scottish Executive spent £2,177,273 on print in 2008-09, of which 92.8% was produced in Scotland.

Swimming Pools

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the target date is for the opening of the new 50-metre swimming pool in Aberdeen.

Shona Robison: This is a matter for Aberdeen City Council and its partners.

  A business plan has been received and comments obtained internally on its robustness. It is expected that a reply will be issued shortly and Aberdeen City Council encouraged to now engage formally with sportscotland through the normal process for applying for funds to support the development of facilities. A member of the sportscotland facilities team sits on the Steering Group overseeing the project.

Wheelchairs

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how local authorities ensure that there is adequate taxi provision for wheelchair users.

Stewart Stevenson: Local authorities are under a general legal obligation to address the needs of the disabled. They also have specific legal powers and duties to control the number and types of taxis operating in their areas. These specific licensing responsibilities provide the context within which they should be assessing need, monitoring current provision and planning future provision.

Wheelchairs

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines adequate taxi provision for wheelchair users.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government does not provide a central definition of what constitutes adequate taxi provision for wheelchair users. It is for individual licensing authorities to determine what they need in their own areas.

Youth Crime

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it makes of calls from Northern Constabulary for increased powers to impose curfews on young people who repeatedly commit crime or behave in an antisocial manner.

Fergus Ewing: The Cabinet Secretary for Justice met with representatives from Northern Constabulary on 14 April 2009 to discuss their proposal. Officials are now in consultation with Northern Constabulary to discuss options for taking this forward to address their needs and which are in line with current good practice and legislation.

Youth Crime

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following reports from Northern Constabulary of a rise in youth crime in Inverness, whether it is aware of any similar increases in youth disorder and, if so, what action it intends to take.

Fergus Ewing: National data from the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration shows a decrease in the number of children referred on offence grounds from 16,490 in 2006-07 to 14,506 in 2007-08, its lowest level since 2002-03.

  The Scottish Government remains committed to working with partners to address the causes and effects of offending by young people, as outlined in the partnership framework Preventing Offending by Young People - A Framework for Action (Bib. number 46408), which was published in June 2008. The Cabinet Secretary for Justice met with representatives from Northern Constabulary on 14 April 2009 to discuss their concerns and officials are now working directly with Northern Constabulary to take this forward.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Information Technology

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its policy is with regard to the retention of emails sent and received by parliamentary staff and elected members; who has access to these emails, and how this policy was arrived at.

Alex Johnstone: The SPCB has in place a Records Management Policy, Procedures and Guidance for SPCB Staff. This includes guidance on the retention of emails and was approved by parliamentary officials.

  Access to emails requires appropriate permissions to be given by the mailbox user. Mailboxes can be accessed by a limited number of system administrators working in the Business Information Technology Office. Authority is required before this action is taken with consent of the line manager or member being sought.

Information Technology

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what logs are kept of internet browsing carried out using the service providers within the parliamentary complex and who has access to such logs.

Alex Johnstone: The Parliament IT systems automatically log the details of internet sites requested by network users. The system logs can be accessed by a limited number of authorised system administrators working in the Business Information Technology Office.